By CHARLIE PARENT & ZACH SMART
NEW YORK — Jordan Smith, a top-10 player in the class of 2026, starred at the Made Hoops Jordan Holiday Classic Friday, being named the game’s MVP in Paul VI’s 72-55 win over Christ the King.
The 6-foot-5 guard posted 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on 8-of-16 shooting in front of Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin and Syracuse staff Alex Kline (GM) and Brenden Straughn (assistant).
The two programs have made Smith a high priority. He took an unofficial visit to Syracuse back in September, and will visit Arkansas in the spring, his dad told ZAGSBLOG. Alongside the two in attendance Friday, Smith took an official visit to Duke on Halloween and an unofficial to Louisville a week prior.
Smith does not have any current visits set, as he waits for the high school season to end, but mentioned he’d like to see UConn in the future, alongside the aforementioned programs.
He broke down each option postgame:
Arkansas: “I like what they do with the guards. Boogie [Fland] is having a good season, so I just like how they use their guard. [Their message] is come in, be impactful and be like them.”
“I will probably go to Arkansas next,” Smith Jr. added. “That game against Michigan, it was awesome to see them all go off and thrive during the Jimmy V Classic. I watched some of it. It’s unique because all of those freshmen, since they are in a similar position as me. They want to see how (Coach) Cal will utilize them. I think (Arkansas point guard) Boogie (Fland) can definitely be a Top-5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, a one-and-done. If he keeps playing the way he’s playing. He’s definitely a lottery pick.”
Syracuse: “It was fun, it’s like family up there because they’ve got TTO [Team Takeover AAU] and PVI guys. They want to play fast, get out the 2-3 stuff as they did, but they’re trying to play fast and play up-tempo.”
On assistant coach Brenden Straughn: “That’s my guy, to be honest with you that’s my guy.”
UConn: “I like coach [Dan] Hurley. I like how he coaches them, hard coaching. I like how he pushes his guys, and gets the best out of them every time. His intensity and how he gets the best out of his players, I really like that about coach Hurley.
Duke: “That was a great visit, seeing my guys Darren [Harris] and Pat [Ngongba], seeing them get up-and-down in practice. Overall, they just told me I can come in there, and be impactful like everyone else, but [they think] I can just be different. I can just be different than anybody who’s gone there, come in and impact in many different ways.”
Louisville (via Zach Smart): “I really like coach (Pat) Kelsey. He’s really energetic. Louisville is just trying to get me back up there on campus. They want me to be a part of the winning culture they had and bring it back up. They are really emphasizing me as being an integral part of the resurgence of the program, which was on top of the college basketball world when they won the national championship. When I visited campus, I definitely had fun. It was definitely the most fun I had on any of my visits, going there. The coaching staff, they are all family to me. That means a lot during the recruitment process.”
Michigan State: “Coach (Saddi) Washington, he is calling to check on me from time to time. Just to talk, to see how everything is going, to see how I’m doing. They want me to be a point guard, making plays, making decisions, and showcasing my talent.”
Smith said he wants to begin narrowing things down after Peach Jam, noting that play style and coaching are big factors in his recruitment.
In terms of his play style, he is a fast-paced, rugged guard who is not afraid to make impact plays for his team. He’s tough on the boards and creates his most separation when attacking downhill, but can knock down the three-ball on any given contest.
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